A Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in the remote Amur region of far eastern Russia near the Chinese border, killing six of the seven crew members aboard. The Defense Ministry confirmed the crash occurred in an uninhabited area during routine training operations.
Russia intends to conduct final tests of a new, currently unnamed ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 kilometers (500 miles) by the end of 2026, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The tests could involve strikes against targets in western Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on August 3, 2026, imposing sanctions on 23 companies and 20 individuals connected to Russia's defense industry, targeting suppliers of components for ballistic weapons production. The sanctions list includes one Ukrainian-registered company.
A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber aircraft crashed on Monday in Siberia's Irkutsk region during a training exercise, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. All four crew members successfully ejected from the Soviet-era supersonic bomber.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing to strike Ukraine with a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, citing intelligence from Ukraine, the US, and Europe. The US Embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert warning of a 'potentially significant air attack' within 24 hours.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the test launch of the new Sarmat strategic nuclear missile, describing it as 'the most powerful in the world.' State TV broadcast footage of the test conducted by Strategic Missile Forces commander Sergei Karakayev.
